“It was a beautiful day to celebrate Mother Earth and a reminder of how fragile our planet is,” said Mayor Peggy R. Bell. “We also planted another native oak tree in the park in celebration of Arbor Day. This latest tree planting brings our total to 3,135 since incorporation.”

Guest speakers from the National Park Service and the USDA conducted a presentation for all event participants, explaining what should be done to make Cutler Bay and Planet Earth healthier and more sustainable places in which to live.

Florida, Power & Light (FPL) provided an exhibit for the Earth and Arbor Day event that proved popular with attendees. A company representative and naturalist presented a demonstration with the assistance of a live alligator and Ball python. Event attendees were allowed to hold the reptiles and take photos with them.

Earth Day officially is Apr. 22, marking the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin got the idea for a national day to focus on the environment and increase public consciousness about air and water pollution and teamed up with conservation-minded Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey and Denis Hayes from Harvard as national coordinator.

National Arbor Day, with its emphasis on planting trees, is Apr. 29, but because of the connection between that and the environment many communities celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day together.

For information regarding upcoming special events visit the town’s website at www.cutlerbay-fl.gov or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305-234-4262.